Unquenchable Love for National Heritage

Maya Orazgylyjowa, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs of the 14th Secondary School in Darganata District, active member of the primary women's organization: During the years of our country's Independence, extensive work has been carried out to study, enrich, refine in a new way, and pass on to future generations the centuries-old national heritage of our people. In this regard, the fundamental reforms initiated by the Hero-Arkadag and the great initiatives that have earned the broad support of our people deserve special mention.

Today, these great deeds and initiatives are being elevated to the level of the high demands of the Era of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State by Arkadagly Hero Serdar. As a result, these efforts find wide support in our villages and towns. This is evident in the great popularity of the felt-making craft (keche), which is an integral part of our national heritage. Turkmen felt is the ancient national heritage and wealth of our people. Just like the depth of history of the felt craft, its method of preparation is also very interesting. As a delicate craft requiring much labor, felt is decorated with patterns according to the characteristics of each region of our country. The main raw material for felt preparation is the wool of our sheep roaming across our vast steppes.

Amansoltan Kazakova, a resident of Darganata city and a veteran education worker, is considered a master of this delicate art. The mentor teacher, who commands great respect among the population, tirelessly teaches young brides and girls the techniques of this fine craft and the secrets preserved by our mothers and grandmothers since ancient times. Amansoltan eje speaks interestingly about the reeds, wool, various dyes, different patterns applied to the felt, and the felt-pressing process.

Amansoltan eje has been working as a teacher in our school continuously for 49 years. Beside her main job, she carries out significant work in promoting the felt craft among the younger generation. With the active participation of students, she founded a school museum. In addition to various felt products, the museum houses large and small jugs, wooden and stone utensils, mortars (soky), copper water vessels (kumgans), carpets, rugs, and kilims. Teacher Amansoltan also enriches the museum with information related to the history of the Darganata fortress.

The work carried out by the veteran teacher instills a love for our Motherland and national heritage in young people, increasing their pride in our glorious history and the cultural values of our people.